POLICE MISCONDUCT

Off-duty Vallejo policeman leads Sacramento police and sheriffs on high-speed chase

By R.E. Graswich, The Sacramento Bee, April 8, 2002

A mysterious Jaguar sedan whose driver wasn't cited after leading at least eight Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies and city police officers on a high-speed chase March 17 was driven by an off-duty Vallejo Police Department officer, Sacramento County Undersheriff John McGinness said Monday.

A professional video photographer, Tracy Mapes, filmed officers stopping the Jaguar near Blumenfeld Drive. When the Jaguar was allowed to leave without the driver being arrested or issued a ticket, Mapes gave portions of the video to The Bee.

The video stills show officers smiling and chatting with the driver and his passenger.

"It was an undercover car who first picked up the Jag, and she kind of pulled the alarm a little prematurely," McGinness said. "It was discretionary on the officers' part not to issue a citation. We give verbal warnings in about half of the traffic stops we make."

McGinness said he did not have the name or rank of the Vallejo officer. The Sheriff's department was conducting an internal affairs investigation to determine whether deputies acted properly in allowing the driver to leave with a verbal warning, McGinness said.

Police radio reports stated the Jaguar reached speeds of at least 90 mph during the chase from Watt Avenue to Arden Way on the Capital City Freeway. Four Sacramento Police officers left the scene without contacting the driver after being told by sheriff's deputies that the situation was under control.

City police officer David Topaz, who participated in the chase, said Monday that the Jaguar topped 100 mph. "I was amazed the guy wasn't arrested or at least cited," he said.

Topaz is president of the Sacramento Police Officers Association.